Savage Master, NITE, & Chariots Overdrive Cast a Heavy Spell Over Atlanta on Friday the 13th!
On a rain-slicked Friday the 13th in Atlanta, the stars aligned for a metal triple-threat at Boggs Social & Supply, a venue I was visiting for the first time — and now, certainly not the last. With a stacked lineup featuring Chariots Overdrive, NITE, and Savage Master, the night offered everything a metalhead could want: headbanging, moshing, killer riffs, cult-like devotion, and yes — even seasoned fries with jalapeño hot sauce.
Chariots Overdrive – Heavy Metal Alchemy
Kicking off the night was Chariots Overdrive, an all-Chinese metal band hailing from Atlanta. I’d never heard them before, but they crushed their set with a thunderous, hard-hitting sound that instantly turned me into a fan. Tracks like “Marching Maniacs”, “Parasite”, and their epic cover of “Heavy Metal Angels” had the crowd banging heads and throwing horns. After their set, the band came back out, took photos with fans (including me), and stayed to watch the other bands — a great touch of humility and camaraderie you don’t always see.
NITE – Cult of the Serpent Sun Rises
Next up was San Francisco’s NITE, delivering a masterclass in blackened heavy metal. The twin-guitar assault from frontman Van Labrakis and Scott Hoffman of which they are very proud of, cuts through the night like a blade. Their setlist pulled heavily from their latest album Cult of the Serpent Sun, including standout tracks like “Crow (Fear the Night)”, “Skull”, and the blistering “Heliopolis”. Bassist Avinash Mittur was a force unto himself, flinging his hair and prowling the stage with such intensity I feared his Rickenbacker might launch into orbit. After the show, I caught up with Van Labrakis and drummer Patrick Crawford out back — both incredibly humble and generous with their time. I was sure to let them know if they were to venture out into the city, to be aware of their surroundings and the dos and don'ts in areas.
Savage Master – Ritual of Rock
Then came the main event. Draped in leather and occult energy, Savage Master hit the stage like a hammer from Hades. Stacey Savage commanded the room with a charismatic presence that had the crowd in a near-transcendent state. With multiple wardrobe changes — none requiring her to leave the stage — Stacey seemed less like a frontwoman and more like a dark priestess presiding over a ritual. Fans were practically reaching out in worship. Their set was massive, featuring tracks like “Hunt at Night”, “Crystal Gazer”, “Ripper in Black”, and the anthemic closer “Ready to Sin”. It was one of the most engaged audiences I’ve ever seen, hands down.
Beyond the Music: Atmosphere, Food, and Firsts
The vibe at Boggs was electric all night — friendly, fired-up, and packed. I got the last spot in the free parking lot, and folks were moshing and headbanging from the first riff to the final encore. The venue had a full menu (I played it safe with some excellent seasoned fries dipped in ranch and jalapeño hot sauce), and a smart nod to the date — Friday the 13th — was projected onto a screen for horror fans in between sets.
Despite off-and-on rain, the outdoor patio and smoking area were covered, keeping the vibe alive even during breaks. Bands mingled with fans outside, chatted, posed for pictures, and shared stories. I even got to speak with Stacey Savage and Adam from Savage Master, who told me about their roots in Louisville, Kentucky, and hopes of one day headlining Wacken Open Air. Honestly? I could see it.
A Photographer’s Dream, A Fan’s Reward
This show marked a personal milestone for me — my first official assignment for Concerthopper. As a photographer from Augusta, Georgia, I’ve been shooting shows for a while, but writing about them and connecting with these musicians made this night unforgettable. The two-hour drive to Atlanta was smoother than usual, and I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome from the bands or the Boggs Social & Supply crowd.
With tour dates still ahead, all three of these bands — Chariots Overdrive, NITE, and Savage Master — are worth catching live. Support them on Bandcamp, grab some merch, and show up ready to bang your head and lose your voice.
Until the next pit!